The Assembly heard how staff at Maghaberry High Security Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, were subjected to intimidation in the run-up to the stand-off over the weekend and into Monday.

Claims and counter-claims continued with supporters of dissident republicans at the centre of the stand-off claiming one inmate ended up with a broken arm and five stitches to his face after an attack by the prison riot squad.

However, Justice Minister David Ford dismissed that saying no prisoners or staff were harmed in the latest clashes.

He told MLAs the incident inside Roe House, where dissidents are housed, was triggered at around 10am on Monday when, following a period in which staff were “subjected to verbal intimidation”,several prisoners were instructed to move into their cells or to a communal area.

He added: “One prisoner who refused to comply was moved using control and restrain techniques.

“He was examined by a nurse who confirmed he had not sustained any injuries at that time.”

A spokesman for Republican Sinn Fein, which represents Continuity IRA prisoners in the jail, told the Mirror freedom of movement granted to inmates is “being clawed back”.

He added recent building work in Roe has led to greater restriction of movement due to a turnstile being locked unless a prison officer buzzes inmates through.

However, DUP MLA Paul Givan said the level of threat to staff is obvious given graffiti warning “David Black No2 very soon” had been written on walls inside the jail.

Mr Black was shot dead on his way to the prison where he worked as a guard in November 2012.

Earlier, Lagan Valley representative Mr Givan called on David Ford to reverse concessions given to the dissidents adding there “shouldn’t be political status for criminals”.

The stand-off on Monday night resulted in around 200 people protesting at the jail and a prison officer’s car being surrounded as it drove into the crowd. His picture was taken by some of those present.

However. Mandy Duffy, a spokesman for the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, insisted “republicans on the ground took control of the situation and cleared the road so this man was able to reverse back out unharmed”.

Asked about threats to prison staff on Radio Ulster’s Talkback, she said she was “unaware of any”.

A lawyer for one of the inmates yesterday claimed his client had been injured by staff on Sunday and subsequent requests to see a doctor had been denied.

Ciaran Shiels, of Madden & Finucane, added: “He was one of a number of prisoners assaulted by riot staff.”